The Outsiders Novel Unit ~ Activities, Handouts, Tests! Printable & Google

This is a teaching unit for the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This unit contains ready-made, Common-Core based handouts to accompany this classic novel. These handouts (printable and Google) will require students to analyze the author’s craft and literary elements such as point of view, symbolism, and theme.

There are two tests included, and this unit also includes writing assignments and post reading activities. Answer keys are provided. In addition to the printable pages, links to the handouts in Google Slides versions and the tests in the amazing self-grading Google Forms versions are included so that you can easily send them out on Google Classroom.

There is no prep on your part! Everything is ready for you to teach, and the best part is that once you purchase this unit, you can reuse it every year!

Take a look at the table of contents listed below to see a detailed list of what is included.

Chapter 1: Allusion, Chapter Questions, Character Sketch - CC8L3 – Students analyze how particular lines or incidents in a story reveal aspects of a character.

Chapter 2: Flashback, Conflict - Students look at how flashback reveals aspects of the character Johnny. (CCSS8L3, CC7L3) They also analyze how conflict shapes the plot and character.

Chapter 3: Greasers Vs. Socs Symbolism - The differences in the Socs and the Greasers as well as the likenesses is related to one of the main themes in this novel. By looking at these differences, students are analyzing the development of the theme. (CCSS RL72, RL82) When determining symbolism in a work of literature, students are drawing inferences from the text. (CCSS RL61, RL71, RL81)

Chapter 4: Respond - Students must write their thoughts, opinions, and predictions to certain passages. With this exercise, students are drawing evidence from a literary text to support analysis and reflection. (CCSSW6.9,W7.9, W8.9)

Chapter 5: Setting, Poem analysis for “Nothing Gold Can Stay” and Writing Opportunity - In the first exercise, students must analyze how the setting shapes the characters and plot.(CCSSRL73) In the second exercise, students analyze each line of the poem and determine the meaning and theme. (CCSSRL7.4, 8.4)

Chapter 6: Foreshadowing, Epiphany; Writing Opportunity - In the first exercise, students determine how foreshadowing helps shape the plot.(CCSSRL7.3, 8.3)In the second exercise, students study changes in a character, which ultimately leads to the theme. (CCSSRL6.2, 7.2, 8.2)

Chapter 7: Readers’ Theater, Theme - Students analyze theme and how it relates to different characters. (CCSSRL6.2, 7.2, 8.2)

Chapter 8: Discussion Questions - Students must determine how Johnny’s life is like the poem. Here they are drawing on inferences from the text. (CCSSRL6.1, 7.1, 8.1)

Chapter 9: Top Ten List - Students must think about the action in the text to create their own list. (CCSSW6.4, 7.4, 8.4)

Chapter 10: Tableau; Epitaph - Students must analyze the characters and setting to create a tableau. This extended thinking activity would be considered a level four on Depth of Knowledge (DOK).

Chapter 11: Silent Passage Analysis - With this activity, students will analyze how particular lines propel the action, reveal character, and provoke decisions. (CCSS7.3, 8.3)

Chapter 12: Meaning of Title, Theme, Memorable Quotes - The title is related to the theme of the novel. (CCSSRL6.2, 7.2, 8.2) Students will analyze this title, and the theme of the story.

Final Test

Answer Keys are included!